O: I missed it. I missed the earth shake.

We had an earthquake this week, a pretty good shake. O slept through it and P was eating a banana and therefore, barely noticed. We live right at the epicenter, so while family and friends who live relatively close by barely registered it, we certainly felt it. It was not the biggest quake I've ever experienced, I grew up here and remember Northridge, but it was the first time I can remember that an earthquake really scared me. I lay in bed afterwards wondering, if this had been the big one, or if it was a precursor to the big one, what would we do, where would we go?

We are prepared. We have supplies and water in a safe spot. We know how to turn off the main gas line. We have a point of contact outside of California that all of our family knows to get in touch with in case we can't call within the state. We have a spot, a local park, where we would meet if we were separated and our home wasn't safe. Still, it is different, somehow, with two tiny people. The idea that my arms holding them wouldn't be enough to keep them safe keeps me up at night. There will be another one, it is only a matter of time.

planning to add some toys and basic art supplies to our home and car kit

This weekend, we are going to check all of our supplies, pull them out, replace what might need replacing and add a bottle of whiskey for good measure. This rumble was a good reminder. We live on a living planet. There are things we can do to be ready when she sneezes.

Here is a list of resources that Jim (code name: Captain Safety) used to help put together our home and car emergency kits and some resources on teaching children about earthquake safety:

United States Geological Survey: Talking to kids about earthquake safety

Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety: What to do before, during and after an earthquake

Our Pre-packed Emergency Kit -We purchased a kit from this company for a family of four, but we have supplemented it with other things from the resources above.